Splint stretcher



Dec. 4, 1962 H. H. RUSSQELL 3,066,320

SPLINT STRETCHER Filed July 15, 1960 INVENTOR 63411. b. @USSEZL ATTORNEYQ atet 3,066,320 Patented Dec. 4, 1962 3,966,326 SPLHYT STRETCHER HallH. Russell, Lake Charles, La., assignor, by mesne This invention relatesto a body splint stretcher; and, more particularly, a body splintstretcher which makes it possible to remove an injured person from adifiicultly accessible location while affording the injured personcomplete protection.

Body splint stretchers which enable an injured person to be comfortablytransported from one place to another and which provide means forimmobilizing an injured part of the human body are well known in theart. Such devices are commonly elongated basket shaped receptaclescomprising a frame made up of longitudinal strips curved at the ends,cross pieces which are curved at the ends, and an oval band whichattaches to the ends of each of the longitudinal strips and crosspieces. The frame thus provided is ordinarily covered with a suitablematerial such as mesh wire and is fitted with straps to hold the patientimmobile. In addition, such devices have a suitable longitudinal offsetrod extending part of the length of the stretcher which divides the legsof the injured person. Herefore, however, it has not been possible touse such a stretcher in very close confines due to its bulkiness.

Most industrial plants have numerous places in which men work, such astanks, vessels, vapor piping, air ducts, etc., which are very confiningand which have small openings providing the only means of access tothese places. In the past, when a person has been injured or otherwiseincapacitated in such a place and it is impossible to fit a conventionalsplint stretcher into the area, it has been necessary to remove theperson by carrying him in a manner such that only the arms and legs ofthe injured person are supported or, at best, by putting him in ablanket sling. Such methods are obviously not satisfactory since it isimpossible to maintain proper body alignment and permanent damage to theinjured person may result.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a splintstretcher which may be readily used in a small confined or restrictedarea. It is a further object of this invention to provide a stretcherwhich may be made smaller to enable it to be passed through a smallopening and which may subsequently be enlarged to make the patient morecomfortable. It is yet another object of this invention to provide asplint stretcher which will enable a patient to be transported safelyfrom one place to another while maintaining proper body alignment andimmobilizing any possible body fractures. It is still another object ofthis invention to provide a stretcher which fits the contours of thepatients body and which prevents the patient from being bumped orjostled while being transported.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by this invention which, briefly,consists of a body splint stretcher comprising a pair of longitudinallyextending side panels and one longitudinally extending center panel. Oneof the side panels is positoned on each of the opposite sides of thecenter panel adjacent to the side edges thereof. The side panels arepivotally connected to the center panel by a suitable means so that theside panels may be pivotally rotated about the side edges of the centerpanel, thus enabling the width of the stretcher to be made greater orlesser depending upon the size of the opening through which thestretcher must be passed. Adjustment means are provided at one end ofeach side panel which enables the side panel to be secured in thedesired position'w-ith respect to the center panel. A convenientadjustment de-- vice comprises an arcuate slotted plate fastened to theend of the side panel, the slot being engaged by a bolt in the end ofthe center panel. When the bolt in the center panel is loose, the sidepanel may be moved freely. However, when this bolt is tight, the sidepanel is held securely in a fixed position. The side panels and centerpanel, when so assembled, are covered with a suitable material such aswire mesh lining, canvas or sailcloth lining. The stretcher may also beprovide-d with straps to hold the patient immobile; a longitudinalraised rod running part of the length of the center panel to act as aleg divider; handles on the end of the stretcher to facilitate handling;and loops on the panels in which to snap safety lines so the stretchermay be raised or lowered in a vertical position.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of the assembled middle and sidepanels of a stretcher constructed according to this invention showingthe side panels in closed position to provide minimum stretcher widthand a fragmentary showing of the wire mesh lining for the panels.

FIG. 2 is a perspective View above of the completed stretcher, the sidepanels in open position to provide maximum stretcher width.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the hinge whichconnects a side panel of the stretcher with the center panel.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the assembled middle and sidepanels showing the adjustment means for selectively securing the sidepanels in open and closed position.

The drawings are more fully explained hereinafter with particularreference to the various numerical designations, each individual numeralhaving the same significance in the different figures.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows the three main partsof a stretcher constructed according to this invention which compriseone center panel 11 and two side panels 16. The center panel 11 consistsof a generally rectangular shaped frame 12, which is curved upwardly ateach end thereof. The frame 12 is composed of side rail members 12a-12aand end rail mem: bers 12b12b and may be constructed of any suitablematerial, though it is preferred to use lightweight metal tubing, suchas thin-walled iron, aluminum or magnesium alloy tubing. However, one ormore solid metal rods may be used in lieu of metal tubing for addedstrength. The frame 12 is provided with transversely extending crossbars 13 which are spaced at intervals along the length of frame 12 andfastened to the opposite sides 12a-12a of frame 12. These cross bars maybe ofthe same material as frame 12. A leg divider bar 14 extendslongitudinally midway between the side panels 12a-12a part of the lengthof the center panel 11 and is secured in an elevated position above thecenter panel by the metal straps 15. The metal straps 15 are each formedwith two concave portions which extend downwardly from the divider bar14 to the adjacent side rail 12a of the frame 12 to which the straps 15are secured.

The side panel members 16 each comprise .a frame 17 composed of an upperlongitudinally extending tubular member 17a and a corresponding lowertubular member 17b which are joined at their ends bytubular end mem:bers 17c and 17d. The lower tubular member 17b of each side panel 16 isstraight and is positioned next to the adjacent side rail member 12a ofthe frame 12. The upper tubular member 17a of each side panel 16 is bentso that the ends of the member 17a extend inwardly toward the regionabove the frame 12. The upper tubular member 17a lies in a verticallydisposed plane that is spaced outwardly from the vertically disposedplane which the lower tubular member 171) occupies. The end members 170of each side panel 16 are sharply bent in a -V -shape' and the tubularmembers 1701 are outwardly curved so as to maintain the offset relationof the tubular members 17a and 17]) described and shown in PTGURES 1 and4.

Each side panel 16 is provided with a plurality of spaced ribs 18, whichcurve outwardly and upwardly away from center panel 11, are situated atintervals along frame 17, the ends being fastened to the upper and lowertubular members 17a and 17b of the frame 17. These may be made of thesame materials as used in side panels and the center frame. A band 19,which is secured at both end members 17c and 17d of the frame 17 of eachside panel 16, extends the length of side panel 16 and bounds the ribs13 on the outside, thereby reinforcing the structure. This band ispreferably a metal such as iron or steel, A rod 2i), which extends thelength of each side panel 16 and is attached to ribs 18 on their insidesurface, serves as a means for securing the lining on the stretcher.Each rod 20 is connected at intervals to the upper tubular member 17a ofthe frame 17 of each side panel 16 by means of supports 21.

Side panel members 16 are connected to center panel 11 by means of aplurality of hinges 22 positioned at spaced intervals along the lengthof the structure. These hinges, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 3, areU-shaped units, the ends of which are attached to the lower tubularmembers 17b of each side frame 17 such as by welding or by means ofrivets, and the closed portion of the U- shaped hinge surrounds andengages the side rails 12a of the center frame 12. Thus, side panelmembers 16 each may be pivotally rotated about the side rails 12a of thecenter frame 12.

Each side panel member 16 may be selectively positioned with relation tothe region above the center frame 12 by means of a locking mechanismconsisting of an arcuate slotted plate 23 fastened to each end member170 of each of side frames 17 (see particularly FIG. 4). The bolts 24,located one on each side and secured to the end rail members 12b of thecenter panel 11 extend through the slotted opening of the plate 23 andwing nuts engaging the threads of the bolts thus making it possible tosecure the side panels 16 in the desired position relative to centerpanel member 11. When wing nuts on the bolts 24-24 are loosened, theside panel members 16.16 may be moved inwardly or outwardly with respectto center panel member 11. However, when wing nuts on the bolts 2424 aretightened, the side panel members 1616 are securely held in a fixedposition.

A plurality of rigid or flexible loops 25 are provided on the end rails12b of center frame 11 and along the upper tubular members 17a of theside panels 16 so that safety lines may be fastened thereto and employedto retainthe injured person in the stretcher. .,A sheet of wire meshfabric 26 is fastened to the rod 20 on each of side panel member 16 andto the end cross bars 13 of center. panel 11 so as to cover the lowerportions of the stretcher.

As shown in FIG. 2, canvas or sailcloth 27 is then similarly fastened onrods 20 and end cross bars 13 to cover the wire mesh fabric. Thisaffords maximum comfort for the patient lying in the stretcher.

Straps 2 8 are mounted across the tops of rods 17 and underneath panel11 and the lower side of panels 14. Straps. 28 ro g t a o d t ody o theperson ying on the stretcher so as to hold the person in an immobileposition.

In using the novel body splint stretcher of this invention to pass aninjured person through a small opening, the side panels 16 should beadjusted to minimum width to make it as compact as possible. However, assoon as the stretcher has been passed through the small opening, thewidth of the stretcher should be increased by adjusting side panels 16outwardly so that the patient will be rendered more comfortable but thebody will still be held immobile.

I claim: I

l. A body splint stretcher of adjustable width adapted for use in asmall area comprising:

(a) a center panel member having longitudinally extending side rails andtransversely extending cross bars spaced at intervals along andconnecting said side rails; I

(b) a pair ofside panel members each positioned on opposite sides ofsaid center panel member adjacent the side edges thereof and pivotallyconnected to said center panel member;

(c) each of said' side panel members comprising a frame composed oflongitudinally extending upper and lower rails which are connected atspaced intervals by outwardly curved ribs so that said side panelmembers may conform to the body contours of a person lying in saidstretcher when said side panel members are in inward positions withrespect to said center panel member and said stretcher is of minimumwidth; 7

(d) a pair of extensible engaging means, each of said engaging meansinterconnecting one of said side panel members to said center panelmember;

(e) and locking means for securingsaid extensible engaging means andmaintaining said side panel members fixed in any selected position withrespect to said center panel member. I p H p 2. A body splint stretcheras defined in claim l wherein the extensible engaging means comprises anarcuate slotted plate fastened to the end of each of said side panelmembers; said plate being engaged by a bolt in the end of said centerpanel member; said bolt being adapted to be tightened whereby said platemay be secured.

3. A body splint stretcher as defined in claim 1 wherein said side railsof said center panel curve upwardly at each end thereof, each of saidengagingmeans interconnecting one of said side panel members to saidcenter panel member at one of the upwardly curved end portions of saidcenter panel. v p

4. A body splint stretcher as defined in claim 3 wherein said centerpanel member is provided with a leg divider element which extendslongitudinally part of the length of said center panel member midwaybetween said side panel members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS276,123 Woodman et al Apr. 17, 1883' 316,043 Jones Apr. 21, 18-85804,538 Hoey Nov. 14, 1905 1,557,647 Austin Oct. 20, 1925 2,101,290Pierson Dec. 7, 1937 2,360,453 Sullivan et a1. ;'Oct. 17, 1944 2,400,426Liptay May 14, 1946 2,512,931 Glover June 27, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS182,701 Germanyn u Mar. 21, 1907

